A  SERMON 


ON 

DELIVERED  BEFORE  THE  ^ 

ANNUAL  CONVENTION 

OP  THE  ^ 

Protestant  Episcopal  CVmrclao?  K.  C. 


BY  THE  RT.  REV.  J.  S.  RAVENSCROFT,  D  D. 


tfEWBERN  : 

PRINTED  BV  PASTEUR  &  WATSONj 
AX  THE  OFFICE  OP  THB  CAROLINA  SENTINEL* 


1824. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2014 


https://archive.org/details/sermononchurchdeOOrave 


Amos.  Chap.  7th,  ver.  8th,  latter  clause.    "  By  whom  shall 
Jacob  arise  ?  for  he  is  smalls 

The  providencies  and  dealings  of  Almighty  God,  for  and 
with  his  Church,  form  a  very  conspicuous  and  instructive  por- 
tion of  the  inspired  writings.  Indeed  we  might  be  justified  in 
observing,  that  the  whole  scheme  of  revelation  and  prophecy 
is  predicated  on  the  existence  of  a  Body  or  Society  of  men, 
distinct  from  and  called  out  of  the  world,  as  the  peculiar  people 
of  God  ;  and  that  the  dealings  of  God,  whether  in  acts  of  mer- 
cy, or  in  the  infliction  of  judgments,  refer  primarily  to  this  his 
inheritance;  through  that,  to  the  rest  of  mankind,  and  ultimately, 
as  we  are  warranted  in  believing  and  saying,  to  the  higher  in- 
telligencies  of  the  unseen  world.  "  To  the  intent  (says  the 
apostle  to  the  Ephes.  3.  &  10.)  that  now,  unto  the  principalities 
and  powers  in  heavenly  places,  might  be  known  by  the  Church, 
the  manifold  wisdom  of  God." 

Thus  divine  in  its  origin,  influential  in  its  character,  and 
single  in  its  designation,  it  presents  a  subject  of  the  most  impres- 
sive consideration  to  all  mankind  ;  inasmuch,  as  it  is  only  in 
connection  with  this  Body  or  Society,  that  the  revealed  promi- 
ses and  hopes  given  in  and  by  Jesus  Christ,  are  assured  to  men, 
and  the  appointed  means  of  grace  and  salvation  brought  withia 
their  reach. 

Under  this  view,  a  brief  notice  of  the  distinctive  character  of 
the  Church,  as  presented  in  the  scriptures,  will  prepare  the  way 
for  an  appropriate  improvement  of  the  text. 

That  this  point  has  been  greatly  neglected,  and  held  back 
from  the  public  edification  of  christians,  even  by  those  who  were 
nevertheless  entrusted  with  its  defence  and  support,  is  imhappily 


4 


too  evident,  and  the  consequences  such,  as  to  warn  both  minis* 
ters  and  people,  that  it  is  time  to  retrace  their  steps,  and  by 
considering  this  vital  doctrine  in  its  application  to  the  hope  of 
man  as  a  sinner,  to  learn  its  influential  bearing  on  the  advance- 
ment of  pure  and  undefiled  religion  in  the  world. 

I  feel,  my  reverend  brethren,  as  1  doubt  not  you  also  do — the 
full  difficulty  with  which  long  neglect,  and  the  consequent  pre^ 
valence,  and  almost  establishment  of  erroneous  opinion,  invests 
the  subject.  But  I  trust  that  I  feel  and  that  you  feel,  the  awful 
responsibility  of  our  respective  stewardships,  and  are  prepared 
to  meet  whatever  may  be  required  by  a  conscientious  discharge 
of  duty.  And  I  trust,  also,  that  j  ou,  my  brethren  of  the  laity, 
feel  that  lively  interest  in  the  cause  we  have  in  hand,  which  shall 
ensure  your  hearty  co-operation  in  such  plans  for  the  revival  of 
the  Church  in  her  pure  and  primitive  character,  as  its  present 
condition,  and  the  means  in  our  controul,  shall  render  advisable ; 
while  I  cannot  permit  myself  to  suppose,  that  amid  the  variety 
of  opinions  on  this  subject  now  before  me,  there  can  one  be 
found,  by  whom  it  will  be  considered  an  unnecessary  or  unprofit- 
able discussion.  Error,  my  dear  hearers,  however  sanctioned 
by  time  and  numbers,  still  retains  its  character  :  truth,  however 
obscured  by  ignorance  or  prejudice,  or  rejected  by  men,  is  yet 
eternal  and  unchangeable  as  its  author.  And  when  eternity, 
with  all  its  glories,  or  with  all  its  horrors,  is  suspended  upon 
truth  or  error,  here  received  and  followed ;  the  astounded  excla- 
mation of  Pilate,  before  our  blessed  Lord,  "  what  is  truth  ?" 
should  burst  from  all  our  lips,  and  engage  our  enquiries. 

To  every  class  of  my  hearers,  then,  I  must  believe  that  a  can- 
did and  scriptural,  though  necessarily  brief  enquiry,  into  the 
origin  and  purpose  of  the  Church,  and  of  the  appointments  of 
Heaven  in  it,  for  the  salvation  of  man,  must  be  both  desirable 
and  profitable.  While  to  us,  my  clerical  and  lay  brethren  of 
this  Convention,  it  is  essential  to  the  right  performance  of  the 
duties  devolved  on  us,  that  we  view  the  subject  in  this  light,  as 
well  as  in  the  causes  which  contributed  to  its  decline ;  otherwise, 
with  the  best  intentions,  our  efforts  may  prove  abortive,  because 
erroneously  devised  and  improperly  directed.  If  Jacob  is  evey 
to  arise,  it  must  be  as  Jacob,  and  not  as  Esau. 


fii'st — as  to  the  origin  of  the  Church. 

That  the  Church  is  divine  in  its  origin,  and  in  the  appoint- 
ments connected  with  it,  is  so  generally  admitted  a  doctrine, 
that  the  less  may  suffice  on  this  point ;  yet  it  ought  ever  to  be 
borne  in  mind,  that  this  divine  institution  of  the  wisdom  and 
goodness  of  God,  is  not  an  abstract  idea  to  be  entertained  in  the 
mind ;  but  an  actual,  visible,  accessible  body  or  society,  for 
practical  use;  deriving  its  constitution,  laws  and  authority,  di- 
rectly from  God.  As  such,  it  is  placed  beyond  the  reach  of  any 
human  appointment,  addition  or  alteration  ;  and  this  so  strictly, 
that  all  the  wisdom,  piety  and  authority  in  the  world,  congrega- 
ted together,  is  just  as  incompetent  to  originate  a  Church,  as  to 
call  another  universe  into  existence.  This,  however,  will  be 
more  evident,  when  we  come  in  the  next  place  to  consider  the 
purpose  of  such  an  injstitution.  And  as  this  is  the  key  which 
unlocks  all  the  difficulties  that  surround  this  subject,  from  the 
divided  state  of  the  christian  world,  it  will  be  necessary  to 
consider  what  led  to  the  appointment  of  the  Church  as  a  distinct 
body,  with  a  visible  and  verifiable  character. 

The  dispensations  of  Heaven's  mercy  and  wisdom  for  the 
salvation  of  fallen  man,  are  presented  to  us  under  various  as- 
pects, all  of  which  are  closely  connected  with  each  other ;  yet 
with  marks  of  distinct  discrimination,  manifesting,  nevertheless, 
that  it  is  the  same  plan,  modified  and  fitted  by  the  Almighty 
himself,  to  the  condition  of  that  poor,  perverse,  and  opposing 
being,  for  whose  benefit  it  was  all  provided,  and  who  has  never 
ceased  to  corrupt  and  depart  from  it,  in  every  age  of  the  world. 

Under  the  first,  or  Patriarchal  dispensation,  as  it  is  called,  of 
religion,  as  the  benefits  of  the  covenant  of  redemption  were  to 
be  continued  in  their  knowledge  and  operation,  by  the  influence 
of  parental  instruction,  and  a  family  priesthood,  no  particular 
designation  as  a  Church,  or  visible  society,  with  privileges  and 
obligations,  promises  and  helps,  of  a  special  description,  was 
marked  out.  Each  family  composed  a  Church  for  the  worship 
of  God,  and  was  furnished  with  the  necessary  means  of  grace 
within  itself,  in  the  offering  of  that  sacrifice  which  prefigured 
the  Lamb  slain  from  the  foundation  of  the  world,  and  was 
appointed  and  intended,  to  keep  alive  in  the  minds  of  men, 


6 

the  knowledge  of  their  fallen  condition,  and  of  the  only  method 
of  recovery  from  it. 

When,  however,  an  experience  of  1 500  years  had  proved  that 
the  corruption  of  human  nature  was  too  powerful  to  be  withstood 
and  counteracted  by  this  method  of  continuing  the  influence  of 
religion  in  the  world ;  and  when  a  farther  trial  of  the  same 
means,  for  the  space  of  500  years  more,  under  the  fresh  remem- 
brance too,  of  the  recent  destruction  of  the  ungodly  by  the 
general  deluge,  and  the  still  more  recent  visitation  of  the  dis- 
persion at  Babel,  had  demonstrated,  that  they  did  not  like  to 
retain  God  in  their  knowledge ;  but  had  corrupted  their  way 
before  him,  and  departed  from  both  the  letter  and  spirit  of  his 
institutions — Then  it  pleased  the  merciful  Saviour  of  poor  sin- 
ners, again  to  interpose;  and  by  selecting  from  this  mass  of  cor- 
ruption, another  family — through  that  to  restore,  and  continue 
in  the  world,  the  true  knowledge  of  God,  of  the  worship  ac- 
ceptable to  him,  of  the  expectation  of  a  Deliverer,  in  the  pro- 
mised seed  of  the  woman,  and  of  the  means  of  that  grace,  by 
which  only,  can  fallen  man  be  renewed  in  the  spirit  of  his  mind, 
delivered  from  the  guilt  and  power  of  sin,  and  from  that  eternal 
death,  which  is  its  only  w  ages. 

In  this,  the  second  dispensation  of  true  religion,  provided  for 
mankind,  the  distinction  from  that  which  preceded  it,  to  be 
most  carefully  marked  and  considered  by  us,  is,  its  covenanted 
and  peculiar  character ;  in  other  w^ords,  the  limited  and  pre- 
scribed conditions,  on  which  only,  its  privileges  and  advantages 
can  be  obtained.  If  we  overlook  this,  we  overlook  its  most 
distinguishing  feature,  lose  that  deeply  impressive  lesson,  which 
it  was  intended  to  teach  us,  and  pass  over  the  most  interesting, 
because  most  hifluential  part  of  the  whole  transaction  ;  that  of  a 
new  relation  to  God,  conferred  upon  men  by  outward  and  visi- 
ble marks,  and  henceforth  confined  and  limited  within  this  insti- 
tution. For  it  is  this,  and  this  only,  my  brethren  and  friends, 
which  marks  its  separation  from  the  rest  of  the  w  orld,  as  the 
Church,  the  peculium,  the  elect  of  God.  Because  of  this  its 
distinctive  character,  it  was  made  the  visible  and  only  depository 
of  his  revealed  will  and  precious  promises.  For  certainty  and 
assurance,  to  this  Church  were  committed,  those  lively  oracles 


7 


of  divine  truth,  which  were  corrupted  and  lost  under  the  custo- 
dy of  tradition.  And  in  it  was  prepared  arid  established  that 
body  of  testimony  to  the  person  and  offices  of  Jesus  Christ,  as 
the  promised  seed  of  the  woman,  which  shines  so  bright,  so 
enhvening,  comfortable  and  irrefragable  to  us,  under  the  gospel. 
Through  this  cliannel  only,  was  to  flow  hereafter,  that  chain  of 
revelation,  prophecy  and  providence,  which  constitutes  and  con- 
firms the  hope  of  man.  And  to  mark  its  dignity  and  pre-emi- 
nence, and  to  fulfil  the  wise  purposes  of  its  founder,  the  condition 
of  the  rest  of  the  world,  in  the  rise  and  fall  of  its  kingdoms,  and 
in  the  operation  of  its  various  events,  is  overruled,  and  made 
subservient  to  the  advancement,  enlargement,  and  final  establish- 
ment of  this  kingdom  of  God  upon  the  earth,  against  all  the 
opposition  of  men  and  devils  combined. 

For  the  order  and  uniformity  of  the  public,  prescribed,  and 
therefore  only  acceptable  service  of  God,  in  this  his  sanctuary, 
a  divinely  constituted  priesthood  was  appointed,  through  which 
alone,  were  the  people  permitted  to  present  their  united  worship, 
to  offer  up  the  proper  sacrifice  for  personal  as  well  as  general 
sin,  and  to  draw  assurance  of  forgiveness,  through  the  efiicacy 
of  that  great  sinoffering,  atonement  and  expiation,  which  all 
their  sacrifices  represented. 

Hence,  my  brethren,  the  singular  and  personal  character 
under  which  it  is  spoken  of,  throughout  the  scriptures ;  that 
sacred  unity  with  which  it  is  invested  ;  hence,  that  zeal  for  it?- 
purity  and  interest,  so  constantly  manifested,  and  that  care  with 
which  its  constitution  and  government  were  fenced  against  all 
intrusion. 

Hence,  also,  the  strong  language,  in  which  its  endurance  or 
everlasting  continuance  is  spoken  of  in  the  scriptures ;  which 
proves  that  it  was  not  a  temporary  appointment ;  but  inseparabh 
connected  with  the  wonderful  plan  of  man's  redemption,  and  to 
rim  parallel  with  it,  and  efficient  in  it,  "  until  the  earth  shall  be 
filled  with  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  thr 
great  deep,"  "  and  the  kingdoms  of  this  world  become  ih 
kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ." 

Here,  then,  my  brethren  and  friends,  let  us  pause  a  moment, 
and  look  back  and  reflect,  wh^t  would  have  beeo  the  state  of  tbp 


6 


world,  what  would  have  been  our  individual  condition,  had  thi3 
wise  and  merciful  provision  of  the  love  of  God,  never  been  ap* 
pointed ;  had  men  been  left,  as  justly  they  might  have  been,  to 
the  influence  of  traditional  knowledge,  as  the  ground  and  the 
means  of  salvation  for  sinners — and  let  the  awful  religious  blank 
which  the  thought  reflects  baok  upon  the  mind,  awaken  us  to 
consider  more  carefully,  the  foundation  on  which  we  are  build^ 
ing  for  eternity  ;  whetlier  on  this  certified  and  verifiable  basis  of 
God's  appointment,  or  on  some  presumptuous  imitation  of  its 
liniaments,  by  ihe  weak  and  incompetent  intrusion  of  human 
wisdom.    "  I  speak  as  unto  wise  men,  judge  ye  what  I  say." 

But  to  proceed — Thus  divine  in  its  origin,  constitution  and 
appointments — -definite  in  its  purpose,  and  singular  in  its  charac- 
ter, the  Old  Testament  Church  stands  alone  in  the  world,  like  the 
ark  on  the  waters  of  the  deluge,  the  sole  depository  of  the  truth, 
and  of  the  people  of  God  ;  nor  is  there  access  to  it,  nor  admis- 
sion within  its  saving  enclosure,  otherwise  than  according  to  the 
institution  of  its  founder.  It  was  competent  to  no  man ;  not 
even  to  Lot,  or  to  Melchisideck,  to  obtain  its  privileges,  without 
its  seal.  Whatever  of  mercy  might  be  in  store  for  them  and 
the  rest  of  mankinrl  ohservuig  the  law  written  in  the  heart,  it 
was  not  the  pledged  and  promised  mercy  made  over  to  the 
Church.  Whatever  the  truth  or  reasonableness  of  any  religious 
duty  might  be  ;  however  well  founded  the  hope  of  God's  favour^ 
from  conformity  to  the  dictates  of  natural  conscience ;  it  was 
not  the  truth  confirmed  by  express  revelation ;  it  was  not  the 
hope  which  springs  from  the  promise  of  God,  certified  by  out- 
ward, visible  and  appointed  ordinances,  as  helps  to  faith,  means 
of  grace,  and  assurances  of  a  relationship  to  God,  in  which 
none  other  stood,  transacted  through  an  authorized  and  accre- 
dited agent. 

This,  my  brethren  and  hearers,  is  that  deeply  impressive  and 
influential  character,  in  which  the  Church  of  the  living  God  is 
presented  to  our  notice  and  use,  in  working  out  our  eternal  sal- 
vation. This  is  that  commanding  feature,  by  which  it  is  to  be 
distinguished  by  us  from  all  imitations  of  it,  by  either  the  piety 
or  the  presumption  of  fallible  men  ;  at»d  it  is  by  tracing  it  ac- 
cording to  this,  its  specifick  chararacter,  through  all  the  deal- 


hxgs  ^nd  provldericies  of  its  founder,  that  we,  at  this  day,  are 
enabled  to  discover  and  distinguish  this  ark  of  safety — this  spe- 
cial deposit  of  the  promises  of  God  to  a  fallen  world — this  au- 
thorized source  of  agency  between  Heaven  and  Earth.  For  the 
Church  of  Christ,  under  the  i\ew  Testament  dispensation,  is 
not  a  new  or  fresh  appointment  of  God,  in  the  sense  and  mean- 
ing too  commonly  entertained ;  but  a  continuation  of  the  old, 
in  all  its  essential  provisions.  The  same,  and  not  a  new  divine 
origination ;  the  same,  and  not  a  fresh  devised  constitution  of 
government,  administration  and  authority  ;  with  the  same  and 
not  another  holy  purpose  of  separation,  certainty  and  assurance 
to  men,  in  things  spiritual  and  invisible  ;  and  this,  upon  the  sure 
ground,  that  "  Jesus  Christ  is  the  same,  yesterday,  to-day,  and 
forever." 

From  not  attending  to  this  essential  point  to  the  very  being 
of  a  Church,  room  has  been  given  for  the  intrusion  of  man's 
presumption  into  this  sacred  appointment,  and  to  deal  with  it, 
as  the  creature  of  his  contrivance,  as  a  thing  subject  to  his  alte- 
ration and  amendment.  By  losing  sight  of  the  intimate  rela- 
tion and  analogy  between  the  old  and  new  testament  dispensa- 
tions ;  by  failing  to  consider  the  one  as  pcrf-^ctlve  of  the  other, 
confusion  and  obscurity  on  this  subject  has  spread  over  the 
christian  world;  and  division  and  destruction,  intead  of  union 
and  peace,  has  been  the  bitter  fruit :  while  the  event  has  fulfilled 
the  prediction  of  our  Lord,  in  impeding  the  progress  of  the 
gospel,  and  encouraging  that  infidel  spirit,  which  turns  away 
from  the  truth,  because  those  who  call  themselves  the  disciples 
of  Christ,  bite  and  devour  one  another.  Above  all— by  neglect- 
ing to  apply  the  test  which  God  himself  has  provided,  whereby 
to  determine  the  certainty  with  which  we  are  transacting  our 
spiritual  afiairs,  in  the  very  natural  enquiry — "  By  what  authori- 
ty doest  thou  these  things and  substituting,  in  lieu  thereof,  the 
reputed  piety  and  holiness  of  particular  men,  has  the  darkness 
become  thicker  and  blacker,  and  the  powerful  prejudices  of 
pride  and  profession,  been  enlisted  against  the  truth  ;  so  that 
men,  reasonable  beings,  with  the  light  of  God's  word  in  their 
hands,  contentedly  trust  their  souls  to  a  security,  on  which  they 
would  not  risk  their  estates. 

B 


10 


Yet  the  truth  remahieth,  my  brethren  and  friends,  unaffected 
in  its  heavenly  and  unchangeable  nature,  by  any  perverseness 
and  opposition  of  men.  And  to  us  it  is  given,  by  the  distin- 
guishing mercy  of  God,  to  know  and  ascertain  the  truth,  to 
the  comfort  and  health  of  our  souls.  The  Church  also,  "  the 
pillar  and  ground  of  the  truth,"  the  peculium  of  God,  by  the 
same  distinguishing  mercy,  yet  remaineth,  lingering  as  it  werej. 
with  us,  and  verifiable,  by  the  same  heavenly  original,  divine 
authority,  and  saving  purpose,  which  constitute  its  sacred  char- 
acter. As  such,  it  is  presented  to  your  consideration  this  day, 
my  hearers,  in  a  point  of  view  in  which  you  may  never  have 
regarded  it ;  briefly,  it  is  true  ;  yet  sufHciently  plain  to  enable 
every  man,  with  his  bible  in  his  hand,  to  determine  the  question 
for  himself.  And  sure  I  am,  that  this  Is  the  only  representation 
of  the  subject,  which  can  correct  erroneous  notions,  or  confirm 
those  which  are  true  ;  the  only  ground  on  which  there  is  any 
foundation  for  faith  to  rest  upon,  any  assurance  of  hope  in  the 
revealed  mercy  of  God.  For  I  am  yet  to  learn,  where  a  pro- 
mise of  God  to  fallen  man  is  to  be  found,  that  is  not  limited  on 
the  previous  condition,  that  he  be  a  member  of  Christ's  visible 
Church  upon  earth. 

Having  thus  given  a  faint  outline  of  the  origin,  purpose,  and 
importance  of  the  Church,  as  an  appointment  of  Almighty  God 
in  the  gracious  plan  of  our  redemption ;  I  will  make  a  few  re- 
marks on  that  branch  of  the  true  vine  which  has  been  planted 
in  this  portion  of  the  Lord's  vineyard. 

Of  the  early  state  of  the  Church  in  this  diocese,  the  notices 
are  so  scanty,  and  my  information  so  limited,  that  there  i;*  no 
safe  ground  on  which  to  form  an  estimate  of  the  state  of  religion 
within  our  commxinion,  previous  to  the  recent  effort  to  revive 
the  cause  in  the  year  1817, 

The  journals  of  the  General  Convention,  and  the  lists  of  the 
clergy  in  each  state  therein  published,  give  no  notice,  that  the 
Episcopal  Church  was  even  known  by  name  in  North-Carolina. 
It  is  nevertheless  certain,  that  the  Church  was  coeval  with  the 
establishment  of  a  regular  government,  and  had  spread  the 
knowledge  of  her  doctrines  and  liturgy,  and  formed  regular 
congregations  for  the  worship  of  God,  as  far  west  as  the  middle 
counties  of  the  state. 


We  mtist  therefore  refer  the  decline,  and  almost  extinguish- 
ment  of  the  Church  here,  to  the  same  causes  which  operated 
throughout  this  vast  continent,  to  wit  :  the  just  judgment  of 
Almighty  God,  on  the  sins  and  iniquities  of  his  people.  To 
ascribe  the  depression  of  the  Church  to  political  causes  solely, 
is  to  reverse  the  order  of  his  providence,  who  overrules  and 
directs*  the  affairs  of  the  world,  to  the  final  triumph  of  his  spiri- 
tual kingdom. 

The  long  period,  however,  during  which  the  people  were  de-^ 
prived  of  the  services  of  tfie  sanctuary,  could  not  fail  to  operate 
injuriously.  We  gradually  forget  our  dearest  friends,  my  breth- 
ren, when  removed  from  all  intercourse  with  them.  We  soon 
seek  to  form  new  connexions,  and  v;e  cleave  to  them  the  closer, 
perhaps,  because  of  previous  privation.  And  thus  it  fared  with 
the  Church,  Multitudes,  who  would  never  have  deserted  the 
fold,  were  forced  by  want  and  privation  into  strange  pastures. 
Still  greater  numbers  have  grown  up  in  ignorance  of  her  claims, 
and  even  of  her  existence  ;  while  the  pride  of  opinion,  reluctance 
10  acknowledge  an  error,  and  the  modern  fallacies  of  liberality 
in  religious  opinion,  and  equal  safety  in  all  religious  denomina- 
tions, keep  back  many  who  once  enjoyed  the  benefit  of  her 
sound  and  safe  ministrations,  and  bid  fair  to  estat)lish  the  notion, 
that  no  religious  profession  is  necessary.  Thus  demonstrating 
by  experience,  that  in  proportion  as  you  weaken  the  vital  doc- 
trine of  the  visible  unity  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  b}'  acknowledg- 
ing communions  erected  by  human  authority,  you  encourage  the 
growth  of  infidelity  and  impiety.  And  it  requires  but  a  fair 
consideration  of  the  effects  which  have  followed  the  divisions 
among  christians,  and  the  consequent  adoption  of  liberal  opin- 
ions, to  demonstrate  the  alarming  fact,  that  if  the  Church  of  God 
may  be  found  every  where,  it  will  soon  be  sought  no  where. 
Indifference  to  religion,  is  the  inevitable  result  of  such  pestilent 
notions;  and  this  is  the  sum  total  of  gain  from  this  so  much 
boasted  system  of  liberal  opinions. 

Yet  the  arm  stretched  out  upon  his  inheritance  was,  and  is, 
an  arm  of  mercy.  A  remnant  was  left.  Jacob  indeed  was 
made  thin,  and  the  fatness  of  his  flesh  became  lean yet 

gleaning  grapes  were  left  in  the  vineyard,  as  the  shaking  of 


V2 


tin  olive  tree,  two  or  three  berries,  in  the  top  of  the  uppermost 
bough."  It  was  a  prating  remnant,  and  it  pleased  God  to  open 
his  ear  to  hearken. 

For  that  remnant,  then,  it  is,  and  for  those  whom  God  hath 
added  to  them,  and  for  the  deluded  multitudes  who  are  living 
without  God  in  the  world,  we  are  met,  in  the  fear  of  God,  1  trust, 
and  in  the  hope  of  his  guidance  and  direction  in  our  counsels, 
to  consult  and  devise  things  profitable,  prosperous  and  happy ; 
the  things  which  accompany  salvation.    Let  us  then  enquire 

Thirdly — By  whom  shall  Jacob  arise  ? 

And  by  whom,  my  brethren  and  friends,  can  Zion  "  arise  and 
shake  herself  from  the  dust,  and  put  on  her  beautiful  garments, 
and  become  the  praise  of  the  whole  earth,"  but  by  that  Almighty 
arm  which  upholds  the  universe  ;  by  that  ever  living  head,  who 
hath  pledged  his  promise,  that  the  gates  of  Hell  shall  not  pre- 
vail against  her. 

On  that  promise  T  am  built ;  on  that  providence  I  am  staid ; 
and  when  I  consider  the  marked  interposition  of  his  hand  in  the 
commencement  and  progress  of  this  work  ;  when  I  reflect,  that 
by  liim  who  inspireth  the  counsels,  and  ordereth  the  doings  of 
the  children  of  men,  I  meet  3^ou  here  this  da}^,  in  the  station 
which  I  fill  in  his  Church  ;  I  bend  in  humble  adoration  before 
his  wonder  working  power ;  1  rely,  with  unshaken  confidence, 
in  his  abiding  faithfulness  ;  and  give  myself  to  the  work,  in  the 
firm  belief  that  the  set  time  to  favour  Zion  is  come.  Well  may 
we  say,  dear  brethren,  "  what  hath  God  wrought !"  and  in 
contemplation  of  what  he  hath  already  done,  be  strengthened 
and  encouraged  to  be  workers  together  with  him,  in  building 
up  the  waste  places  of  Jerusalem.  I  have  been  among  them, 
my  brethren — among  the  earliest  records  of  the  piety  ot  our  fore- 
fathers; and  my  heart  yearned  over  the  ancient  and  decaying, 
and  now  too  often  silent  temples.  I  have  been  among  the  an- 
cient Simeons  and  Annas,  servants  of  the  Lord,  who  "  take 
pleasure  in  the  stones,  and  favour  even  the  dust  of  Zion  ;"  who 
have  prayed  and  fainted  not,  through  a  long  night  of  darkness 
and  bereavement ;  and  1  have  seen  the  smile  of  transport,  and 
the  flush  of  hope,  and  the  fervour  of  devout  and  grateful  praise, 
light  up  their  patriarchal  countenances,  as  the  promise  of  a 


13 


brighter  day  dawned  upon  their  children  ;  and  I  felt  that  if 
would  not  be  disappointed. 

In  tliis  holy  hope,  then,  let  us  continually  look  up  to  our 
great  covenant  head,  and  ever  merciful  Redeemer ;  beseeching 
him  to  inspire  our  prayers,  direct  our  counsels,  and  prosper  our 
endeavours  "  to  the  advancement  of  his  glory,  the  good  of  his 
Church,  the  safety,  honour  and  welfare  of  his  people." 

But  while  it  is  by  the  Lord  only,  that  Jacob  can  arise,  it  is 
by  ^he  use  of  means  within  our  reach,  by  joining  our  earnest 
en  deavours  to  our  united  prayers,  that  this  most  desirable  work 
is  to  be  carried  on  and  effected. 

First,  then,  because  of  the  highest  concernment,  let  us,  my 
brethren,  ever  bear  in  mind,  from  what  causes  the  depression 
and  downfal  of  the  Church  originally  proceeded,  and  guard 
carefully  against  a  return  of  the  same  evil.  Throughout  the 
whole  history  of  God's  dealings  with  his  Church,  we  may  see, 
that  the  light  of  his  countenance  upon  his  people,  or  the  hidings 
of  his  face  from  them  ;  the  communication  of  his  favour  to  them, 
and  the  infliction  of  his  judgments  on  them,  have  ever  been 
regulated,  according  as  piety  or  ungodliness  prevailed  among 
them.  Now,  all  these  things,  we  are  instructed,  "  happened 
unto  them  for  ensamples,  and  are  written  for  our  admonition, 
upon  whom  the  ends  of  the  world  are  come."  Happy,  then, 
will  it  be  for  us,  my  brethren  and  hearers,  if  we  take  warning 
hy  this  more  recent  example  and  proof,  that  the  same  order  of 
his  proivdence  yet  subsists ;  and  keep  ourselves  from  the  evil 
way  of  profession  without  practice,  religion  without  holiness. 
Many  suppose,  that  in  the  Episcopal  Church,  a  greater  laxity 
is  allowed,  than  in  other  denominations.  But  this  manifests  a 
total  ignorance  of  all  our  institutions.  No  countenance  is  given 
or  allowed  to  what  is  sinful  ;  nor  can  any  denomination  pretend 
to  greater  strictness,  than  is  required  by  the  Canons  and  Ku- 
bricks of  the  Church.  We  cannot  help  it,  my  brethren,  if  per- 
sons whose  conduct  is  a  scandal  to  all  christian  profession,  will 
call  themselves  Episcopalians  :  the  discipline  of  the  Church  can 
he  applied  only  to  those  who  are  known  and  received  as  com- 
municants ;  and  by  those  compared  with  any  other  denomina- 
Uon,  we  fear  not  to  be  tested  ;  yet  with  us,  whatever  may  be  the 


14 


case  with  other  professions,  we  know  and  confess,  that  much  of 
the  old  leaven  has  to  be  purged  out ;  and  this  will  we  do,  if 
God  permit. 

To  this  point,  then,  my  brethren,  let  us  bend  our  united  at- 
tention ;  taking  away  occasion  from  those  who  seek  it,  and 
wiping  out  the  reproach  against  us ;  firmly  setting  our  faces 
against  all  conformity  with  the  world  in  its  ungodliness ;  and 
withholding  our  fellowship  from  all  who  walk  disorderly.  This 
we  owe  to  our  own  souls,  to  the  honour  of  God,  to  the  credit  and 
advancement  of  the  Church,  and  to  the  souls  of  others  ;  we  owe 
it  to  that  forbearing  goodness  which  has  once  more  revived  us, 
and  in  agreement  with  which  only,  can  we  hope  to  prosper. 

As  holiness  is  the  mark  of  God's  children,  we  are  called  to 
holiness,  to  severance  from  the  world,  its  idolatrous  pursuits,  its 
vain  and  vicious  pleasures,  in  ourselves  and  in  our  families. 
"  Wherefore  come  out  from  among  them,  and  be  separate,  and 
touch  not  the  unclean  thing,  and  I  will  receive  you,  and  be  a 
father  unto  you,  and  ye  shall  be  my  sons  and  daughters,  saith 
the  Lord  Almighty. "  Having  therefore  these  promises^  dearly 
beloved,  let  us  cleanse  ourselves  from  all  filthiness  of  the  flesh 
and  spirit,  perfecting  holiness  in  the  fear  of  God." 

This  is  the  doctrine  of  the  Episcopal  Church  ;  this  is  the 
practice  in  the  life,  which  all  her  precepts  inculcate  upon  her 
members ;  which  her  discipline  is  constructed  to  enforce,  and 
which  no  endeavours  of  mine  shall  be  wanting,  God  being  my 
helper,  to  bring  to  full  effect.  And  here  I  am  truly  thankful 
that  so  many  circumstances  concur  to  favour  us  in  this  essential 
work.  No  wide  spread,  inveterate  habit  of  ungodliness,  has 
yet  had  time  to  take  root  among  us,  and  cause  alarm  at  the 
extent  of  the  excision  required.  Jacob  indeed  is  small,  but  he 
is  young  also,  and  comparatively  free  from  the  great  transgres- 
sion. Be  it  our  care  then,  one  and  all,  dear  brethren,  that  as  he 
increases  in  stature,  he  may  *  grow  in  grace,'  and  increase  also 
in  *  favour  both  with  God  and  man.' 

Whatever  reproach  of  this  nature  is  brought  against  our  com- 
munion as  yet,  is  brought  from  a  distance,  and  there,  let  us  re- 
solve that  it  shall  remain ;  whatever  is  now  to  perform  of  the 
painful  duty  of  reproof  and  correction,  is  comparatively  light ; 


15 


and  blessed  be  God  for  it,  there  is  no  diversity  of  opinion  among 
those  who  have  the  care  of  the  flock.  United  in  this,  as  in  ali 
other  points  which  concern  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  our 
Zion,  we  may  humbly  trust  to  build  up  those  committed  to  our 
charge,  "  an  holy  Temple  unto  the  Lord." 

Secondly.  That  Jacob  may  arise  as  Jacob,  it  is  essential 
that  the  doctrines  and  worship  prescribed  in  the  articles  and 
liturgy  of  the  Church,  be  faithfully  preached  and  adhered  to  by 
all  of  her  communion. 

On  you,  my  brethren  of  the  clergy,  depend  the  hopes  of  the 
Church  in  this  diocese,  for  this  means  of  resuscitation.  This 
precious  deposit  she  has  committed  to  your  fidelity,  and  at  your 
hands  does  she  require  that  it  be  exercised  for  the  increase  of 
the  body. 

And  here  again  I  have  to  bless  God,  that  the  lines  are  fallen 
to  me  in  pleasant  places.  That  however  small  the  number,  it  is 
a  little  phalanx  of  men  sound  in  faith,  and  united  with  me  in  one 
mind,  and  in  one  doctrine  ;  that  on  no  point  is  there  such  a 
division  of  sentiment  as  leads  to  a  diversity  of  practice  ;  but  all 
can  go  hand  in  hand  to  the  object  before  us.  That  however 
feeble  in  the  eyes  of  the  w  orld,  it  is  a  band  of  brothers  who 
have  themselves  experienced  the  power  and  efficacy  of  the  truths 
they  preach  ;  who  know  and  feel  that  they  are  the  power  of 
God  unto  salvation,  and  are  therefore  able  to  teach  others  also. 
Who  admire  and  love  the  scriptural  simplicity,  devotional  sub- 
limity, and  doctrinal  security,  of  that  form  of  sound  words,  in 
which  they  lead  the  public  worships  of  the  sanctuary ;  who 
know  that  the  liturgy  of  the  Church  is  the  great  bulwark  of  the 
faith  once  committed  to  the  saints  ;  the  tried  safeguard  against 
the  heresies  of  the  day,  of  all  who  use  it  with  the  understanding 
and  the  afiections. 

Thus  favoured  of  God,  my  burden,  dear  brethren,  is  com- 
paratively light — while  my  hope  is  animated,  that  with  such 
workmen,  the  edifice  will  arise,  beautiful  in  its  proportions, 
resplendent  in  holiness,  and  the  praise  of  the  \^ho'e  earth. 

The  foundation  on  which  it  rests,  is  the  rock  Christ,  confes- 
sed, and  believed  on,  as     God  over  all,  blessed  forever  — 

who  for  us  men,  and  for  our  salvation,  came  down  from 


16 


Heaven,  and  was  Incarnate  by  the  Holy  Ghost  of  the  Virgm 
Mary,  and  was  made  man,  and  was  crucified  also  for  us,  under 
Pontius  Pilate."  The  beauty  of  its  proportions,  consists  in 
the  harmony  of  that  unsearchable  wisdom — whereby  'mercy 
and  truth  are  met  together,  righteousness  and  peace  have  kissed 
each  other' — in  the  unspeakable  mystery,  of  God  made  sin,  that 
man  might  be  made  the  righteousness  of  God  in  Him.  And  the 
splendour  of  its  embellishment,  in  the  union  of  all  its  members, 
in  the  faith  which  worketh  by  love,  the  hope  which  maketh  not 
ashamed,  and  the  charity,  which  never  faileth. 

This  is  the  blessed  fruit  of  the  doctrine  of  the  gospel,  and  of 
the  Church,  *  truly  preached,  truly  received,  and  truly  follow- 
ed.' The  mystery  of  godliness,  that  "  God  was  manifest  in 
the  flesh,  justified  in  the  spirit,  seen  of  angels,  preached  unto 
the  gentiles,  believed  on  in  the  world,  received  up  into  glory," 
is  the  new  sharp  threshing  instrument  predicted  by  the  prophet, 
wherewith  to  break  down  the  kingdom  of  sin,  satan  and  death. 
"  Fear  not,  thou  worm  Jacob,  and  ye  men  of  Israel,  I  will  keep 
thee,  saith  the  Lord,  and  thy  Redeemer,  the  Holy  one  of  Israel. 
Behold  I  will  make  thee  a  new  sharp  threshing  instrument, 
having  teeth.  Thou  shalt  thresh  the  mountains,  and  beat  them 
small,  and  shalt  make  the  hills  as  chaff. — Thou  sh alt  fan  them, 
and  the  wind  shall  carry  them  away,  and  the  whirlwind  shall 
scatter  them  ;  and  thou  shalt  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  and  shalt 
glory  in  the  Holy  one  of  Israel.' 

On  the  doctrines  of  the  cross,  then,  as  you  jjave  taken,  main-^ 
tain  your  stand,  my  reverend  brethren.  Preach  them  in  the 
simplicity  and  sincerity  of  hearts  that  feel  them,  with  the  ear- 
nestness of  men,  who  wish  to  save  their  own  souls  and  the  souls 
of  others.  The  entire  spiritual  death,  and  alienation  of  man 
from  God,  by  the  entertainment  of  sin  ;  the  reconciliation  of 
God  to  the  world,  by  the  sufferings  and  death  of  his  only  be- 
gotten Son  ;  the  atonement  of  his  blood  ;  justification  by  faith; 
acceptance  through  the  merits  of  the  Saviour  ;  conversion  of  the 
heart  to  God  ;  holiness  of  life,  the  only  evidence  of  it,  and  the 
grace  of  God,  in  the  renewal  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  sole  agent 
from  first  to  last,  in  working  out  our  salvation  from  sin  here, 
and  from  hell  hereafter.  In  fewer  words,  "  salvation  by  grdice, 
through  faith,  not  of  works,  lest  any  man  should  boast," 


But  with  these  vital  and  Heaven-blessed  doctrines,  other 
points  of  edification  to  those  of  your  charge,  and  to  your  gen- 
eral hearers,  will  require  your  attention,  my  reverend  brothers  ; 
particularly  that  of  the  distinctive  character  of  the  Church.  On 
this,  a  most  lamentable  ignorance  prevails,  and  most  unfoun- 
ded opinions  are  becoming  established,  not  only  among 
Episcopalians,  but  at  large.  To  permit  this  ignorance  to  con- 
tinue undisturbed,  is  to  be  false  to  our  ordination  vows,  to  our 
acknowledged  principles,  to  the  interests  of  our  communion, 
and  to  the  souls  committed  to  our  care  ;  and  however  amiable 
in  appearance,  the  principle  on  which  we  act  may  be,  reflection 
shews  it  to  be  a  mistaken  one,  and  experience  proves  it  to  have 
been  injurious.  If  we  hold  principles  that  are  indefensible,  let  us 
abandon  them.  But  if  they  are  our  principles,  interwoven  into 
the  very  frame  of  our  polity — impregnable  in  their  truth,  and  es- 
sential in  the  great  work  we  have  in  hand  ;  let  us  not  appear 
ashamed  of  them,  or  weakly  afraid  of  the  consequences,  and  thus 
become  parties  to  that  miserable  delusion,  which  weakens  us  as 
a  body,  strengthens  the  ranks  of  our  adversaries,  and,  I  will  fear- 
lessly say,  weakens  the  cause  of  true  religion,  by  tacitly  owning 
one  division  after  another,  until  the  great  luaster  principle  of  the 
Church  of  God,  its  unity,  is  merged  in  the  mass  of  christian  names, 
and  bwallowed  up  by  the  indiflerence  and  infidelity  thus  fostered. 

If,  then,  we  would  be  found  faithful  to  ourselves,  to  the 
Church  whose  commission  we  bear,  and  to  the  souls  committed 
to  our  trust ;  this  doctrine  of  the  distinctive  character  of  the 
Church,  must  be  fully  unfolded  and  laid  before  our  people. 
Their  attention  must  be  called  to  it,  on  the  grounds  of  scriptu- 
ral reason.  The  purpose  of  this  wise  and  merciful  appointment 
of  Almighty  God  in  the  salvation  of  sinners,  must  be  dwelt  upon 
and  enforced,  by  all  those  weighty  arguments  and  authorities 
which  the  word  of  God  so  richly  supplies.  The  importance 
and  efficacy  of  authorized  ministrations,  of  valid  sacraments, 
must  be  elucidated  and  confirmed,  by  the  analogies  which  govern 
men  in  temporary  things,  and  by  the  method  so  demonstrably 
resorted  to  by  God  himself,  both  under  the  law  and  under  the 
gospel,  to  give  certainty  and  assurance  to  men  in  things  so 
unspeakably  important.  These  are  the  points  to  be  presented 
to  our  people,  to  be  pressed  upon  the  understandings  and  the 

c 


18 


feelings  of  our  hearers,  in  connection  with  the  other  doctrines 
of  the  gospel — that  they  may  learn  to  estimate  aright  their  pri- 
vileges ;  and  valuing,  to  cleave  to  them. 

Thirdly.  That  Jacob  may  arise  in  his  true  character,  a 
steadfast  and  uniform  adherence  to  the  liturgy  and  offices  of  the 
Church,  as  set  forth  in  the  book  of  Common  Prayer,  and  ad- 
ministration of  the  sacraments,  must  be  observed. 

In  this  duty,  it  is  my  happiness  to  believe,  that  you,  my 
reverend  brethren,  are  found  faithful.  As  honest  men — inde- 
pendent  of  your  christian  character,  I  could  expect  no  less. 
But  in  this  liberal  and  latitudinarian  age,  this  duty  is  sometimes 
rendered  painful,  by  the  wish  to  yield  in  some  degree  to  the 
prejudices  of  a  mixed  congregation  |  *and  by  the  hope,  that  con- 
forming in  this  respect,  they  may  be  won  over.  In  aid  of  this 
dereliction  of  duty,  the  points  objected,  are  artfully  represented 
as  things  indifferent  in  themselves,  and  therefore  to  be  yielded 
in  favour  of  christian  fellowship.  All  this,  however,  is  mere 
pretence  ;  for  if  they  are  points  really  indifierent,  the  fault  must 
ever  be  with  those,  who  on  such  grounds  separate  themselves, 
from  what  never  can  be  viewed  with  indifference  by  any  serious 
person.  And  whatever  pretences  may  be  urged,  they  are  all 
fallacious,  and  proved  to  be  so  by  experience.  For  whatever 
the  principle  of  accommodation  may  be  capable  of  in  other 
things,  it  has  ever  failed  in  points  of  religious  dissent — and  I 
am  yet  to  learn,  in  what  instances  the  surrender  of  principles, 
or  even  of  distinctive  points,  has  profited  those  who  have  tried 
the  dangerous  experiment.  My  brethren,  the  attempt  has  ever 
been  in  vain,  and  has  issued  in  weakening  and  degrading  those 
who  have  resorted  to  it ;  and  the  reason  is  obvious  :  Princi- 
ples, religious  principles  especially,  are  presumed  to  be  well 
considered — adopt-ed  as  the  best,  and  on  the  highest  authority. 
To  hold  them  then,  as  things  that  may  be  dispensed  with,  may 
be  accommodated,  may  be  yielded,  is  viewed  as  the  mark  of  a 
weak  or  an  insincere  mind. 

To  act  upon  this  expectation  then,  is  to  court  defeat,  while 
it  is  at  the  same  time  to  expose  ourselves  to  contempt,  as  men 
of  lax  principles  and  designing  conduct.  A  stigma  of  all  others 
the  most  severe  upon  a  minister  of  religion ;  who,  in  common 
with  all  christians,  but  in  a  higher  degree,  ought  to  have  his 


19 


conversation  in  the  world,  in  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity  . 
And  what  has  been  the  effect  of  such  a  course,  in  the  trials  that 
have  unhappily  been  made  by  Episcopal  clergymen.  Has  our 
communion  gained  or  lost  by  it  ?  Where  is  the  addition  obtained 
by  this  surrender  of  private  and  public  principle  ?  It  has  lost, 
my  reverend  and  lay  brethren,  by  this  Judas  like  method  of 
betraying  it  into  the  hands  of  its  enemies,  with  a  kiss. 

And  what  have  the  individuals,  who  have  thus  acted,  gained 
by  it  f  They  have  gained  the  name,  perhaps,  of  liberal  and 
charitable ;  and  have  lost  the  esteem  of  all  sound  churchmen  : 
while  they  have  not  gained  the  confidence  of  those,  who  never- 
theless flattered  their  enlarged  views  of  christian  liberty  and 
evangelical  piety ;  because,  in  the  midst  of  this  flattery,  they 
are  obliged  to  view  them  as  false  to  the  most  solemn  pledges 
that  can  be  given  of  sincerity  of  opinion,  and  integrity  of  practice. 

In  all  such  cases,  the  question  with  an  Episcopal  clergyman, 
is  not,  whether  our  general  principles,  or  our  method  of  con- 
ducting public  worship  by  a  fixed  form,  be  scriptural,  profitable, 
or  even  evangelical ;  this  ought  tO  have  been  settled  on  the 
most  serious  investigation,  before  he  assumes  the  orders  of  the 
Church.  Whatever  discretion  he  had  as  tu  this  and  other  puiutS 
of  required  conformity,  is  then  given  up  5  nor  can  he  continue 
to  wear  the  livery  of  the  Church,  and  thus  act,  without  the  guilt 
of  the  most  sublimated  perjur}^ 

Alas !  that  it  should  be  necessary  to  warn  against  the  influ- 
ence of  such  an  example  elsewhere.  But  as  the  evil  exists,  and 
this  view  of  the  subject  includes  every  plea  for  nonconformity 
to  the  doctrines  and  worship  of  the  P.  E.  Church  in  the  United 
States,  I  think  it  due  to  you,  and  to  the  sincerity  with  which  I 
am  bound  to  act,  to  shew  distinctly,  at  the  commencement  of 
my  administration,  the  principles  by  which  I  anf  guided. 

Fourthly.  For  the  increase  and  advancement  of  true  godli- 
ness, let  me  reccommend  the  observance  and  cultivation  of 
family  religion. 

Without  this  root  and  spring,  under  God,  of  all  holy  desires, 
all  good  counsels,  and  all  just  works,  hope  is  vain  for  the 
Church  and  the  State  ;  we  shall  sink  into  a  nation  of  infidels. 

That  the  practice  has  declined  in  the  families  of  professing 
christians ;  that  it  is  abandoned  in  all  others,  is  known  by  all 


20 


tvho  bear  me  at  this  moment.  And  that  the  consequences  Are 
the  bitter  fruit  of  increasing  crime  and  profaneness,  is  recor- 
in  every  court,  and  witnessed  by  every  sabbath. 

But,  my  brethren  and  hearers,  could  this  be  so,  were  the 
principles  of  our  holy  religion,  early  and  carefully  instilled  into 
the  minds  of  the  rising  hope  of  this  great  and  growing  christian 
nation  ?  Was  the  fear  of  God,  and  the  reverence  of  his  most 
holy  name,  and  the  observance  of  his  worship,  and  the 
knowledge  of  his  life-giving  precepts,  inculcated  and  manifested 
in  our  families,  would  so  little  of  it  be  seen  in  the  world?  Awake, 
then,  from  this  torpor,  ye  christian  fathers  and  mothers — from 
this  deadly  delusion  of  adulterated  religion,  which  is  so  fast 
swallowing  up  the  dearest  hope  you  can  entertain  of  a  happy 
eternity,  with  those  who  are  dearest  to  you  here.  Trample 
mider  your  feet,  those  pestilent  doctrines  which  inevitably  lead 
to  this  criminal  neglect,  by  confiding  the  hope,  and  by  neces- 
sary consequence,  the  duties  of  the  gospel,  to  a  chosen  few. 
Arise  to  the  blessed  assurance  of  God's  public  message  by  his 
only  begotten  Son — "  that  he  hath  not  appointed  you  or  them 
to  wrath,  but  to  obtain  salvation  by  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 

who  by  the  grace  nf  Ond,  tasted  death  for  every  man."  Be- 
lieve this  his  true  and  faithful  word,  against  all  the  sophistry  of 
men  ;  diligently  use  and  apply  the  means  provided  by  the  wis- 
dom and  goodness  of  God,  for  your  advancement  in  knowledge, 
and  growth  in  grace ;  and  no  longer  suffer  your  children  to 
grow  up  like  the  wild  asses  colt,  alike  ignorant  of  God  and  of 
themselves,  of  the  word  of  his  grace,  of  his  sabbaths,  his  ordi- 
nances, his  mercies,  his  judgments,  and  that  eternity,  in  which 
all  these  end,  and  where  you  and  they  must  meet,  to  enjoy  or 
to  suffer  forever,  according  to  the  improvement  or  abuse  here, 
of  the  talents  committed  to  your  trust. 

Oh !  it  is  an  awakening  thought  to  contemplate  a  godless 
gospel  family,  assembled  before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ, 
and  to  carry  out  the  consequence  to  the  misery  that  awaits  them ; 
and  that  misery  doubled  by  the  near  and  dear  ties  which  con- 
nect them  ;  Hell  made  hotter  by  the  endless  reproach — we 
neglected  our  children's  souls — my  father  and  mother  hardened 
sne  against  God — they  trained  me  to  perdition. 

Oh !  it  is  a  heart-cheering,  soul-enlivening  vision,  to  go  in 


21 


the  mind's  meditation,  with  the  faithful  father  and  mother,  to 
the  same  awful  tribtmJiI,  and  see  the  holy  confidence  with  which 
they  stand  and  say — Behold  us,  Lord,  and  the  children  thou 
hast  g:iven  us."  We  have  taught  them  thy  fear  ;  and  by  thy 
grace  kept  them  in  the  way ;  we  surrender  them  to  thy  mercy, 
through  thy  dear  Son.  "  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servants, 
ye  have  been  faithful  in  a  few  things,  enter  ye  into  the  joy  of 
your  Lord."  But  who  can  speak  that  joy,  when  all  the  dear  ties 
of  nature  in  this  life  shall  be  refined,  purified  and  perpetuated 
in  glory;  when  conjugal,  parental  and  filial  love,  shall  be  swal- 
lowed up,  butnot  lost,  in  the  love  and  enjoyment  of  God  for  ever. 

And  is  this,  dear  brethren,  a  result,  in  the  one  case  to  be 
shunned  as  destruction  ;  in  the  other  to  be  desired  as  life  ?  Oh, 
if  it  be  !  (and  what  christian  parent  does  not  feel  that  it  is  all 
this  ?) — let  the  plain  and  certain  road  to  the  attainment  of  this 
blessedness,  be  pursued  by  all.  Discard  for  ever,  my  brethren 
and  hearers,  this  murderous  neglect  of  the  souls  of  your  chil- 
dren and  servants  ;  and  as  you  are  able,  call  them  round  the 
family  altar,  and  invoke  the  blessing,  the  promised  blessing  of 
God,  upon  your  holy  purpose  ;  restrain  them  from  all  violations 
of  the  Lord's  day  ;  cultivate  his  fear  in  their  hearts  ;  and  shew, 
by  the  example  of  your  lives,  that  you  fear  his  name,  and  hope 
in  his  mercy. 

Especially  upon  you,  my  Episcopal  brethren,  is  this  primary 
duty  enforced,  by  every  principle  you  profess,  by  every  obliga- 
tion that  can  be  undertaken,  and  by  every  sanction  known  to 
time  and  to  eternity.  Your  baptismal  sponsion  for  your  chil- 
dren involves  it,  b}^  the  solemn  stipulations  then  entered  into  ; 
and  the  promises  of  God  therein  sealed  to  them,  is  your  full  and 
sufficient  warrant,  to  engage  in  this  fruitful  work,  with  assurance 
of  success.  Let,  then,  the  inscriptions  on  your  dwellings  be, 
"  As  for  me  and  my  house,  we  will  serve  the  Lord."  To  this 
source  of  supply,  the  Church  looks,  for  the  enlargement  of  her 
border,  the  extension  of  her  communion — for  the  spread  of  the 
gospel,  and  its  triumph  over  all  its  enemies. 

And  to  what  other  source  can  we  reasonably  look,  my  breth- 
ren, not  only  for  the  advancement,  but  for  the  continuance  of 
religion  among  us.  Let  us  ask  ourselves,  and  reflect  seriously 
upon  it— what  proportion  do  the  conversions,  which  we  occa- 


"22 


sionally  hear  of,  bear  to  the  numbers  annually  coming  into  and 
going  out  of  life  ?  In  tiiis  state,  do  they  amount  to  500  in  the 
year — to  one  for  every  100,000  of  its  population  ?  1  know  not ; 
bui  I  doubt  it.  But  say  they  amount  to  five  times  this  numbery 
and  are  all  sound  conversions  of  the  heart  to  God — what  is 
this  to  the  annual  drain  by  death,  of  souls  dead  to  God,  unpre- 
pared for  eternity  ;  what  to  the  multitudes  who  know  not  God, 
and  obey  not  the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  who  have 
grown  up  without  him,  and  must  in  all  probability  die  without 
him ;  wliat  is  this  to  the  thousands  coming  forward  into  life, 
the  hope  of  days  to  come,  equally  unfurnished — O  let  the  alarm- 
ing calculation  startle  us  from  this  delusion  of  double  death, 
and  convert  us  from  dependence, on  the  extraordinary,  to  the 
serious  use  of  the  ordinary  means  which  God  has  provided, 
commanded,  and  promised  to  bless,  in  training  up  our  children 
m  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord,  that  his  converting 
grace  may  change  their  hearts,  transform  their  lives,  and  enrich 
the  Church  and  the  world,  with  sound  and  instructed  believers, 
serious  and  experienced  christians,  and  firm  professors  of  the 
hope  of  the  gospel.  Thus,  and  thus  only,  shall  the  objections 
of  the  infidel  be  done  away  ;  the  vain  reasonings  of  the  dispu- 
ter  of  this  world  be  answered  and  refuted  ;  and  the  means  cor- 
responding with  the  end,  and  tlie  fruit  crowning  the  work,  make 
all  men  see,  that  God  is  with  us  of  a  truth.  Thus  adorning  the 
doctrine  of  God  our  Saviour,  by  the  union  of  profession  and 
practice,  Jacob  shall  arise,  and  his  light  shine.  Thus  shall  his 
seed  possess  the  gate  of  his  enemies,  and  the  Lord  whom  we  seek 
shall  suddenly  come  to  his  temple,  and  "the  glory  of  this  latter 
house  shall  be  greater  than  the  former,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts." 

Lastly. — Our  pecuniary  means  must  be  reserved  for  the  wants 
of  our  own  communion. 

This  is  so  plain  and  obvious  a  duty,  that  at  first  sight,  it 
would  appear  superfluous  to  mention  it ;  yet  certain  it  is,  that 
in  this  respect,  Episcopalians  have  manifested  an  easiness  in 
yielding  to  the  solicitations  of  other  denominations,  which  can 
be  justified  on  no  sound  principle  of  regard  for  the  Church,  or 
feeling  sense  of  the  wants  and  privations  of  their  immediate 
brethren ;  and  the  time  I  think  is  come,  when  it  is  absolutely 
necessary  to  act  difierently.    Jacob  is  small,  and  he  must  con- 


23 


tinue  so,  if  his  patnomony  is  squandered  upon  strangers.  It  is 
the  dictate  of  inspired  wisdom,  my  brethren,  "that  if  any  pro- 
vide not  for  his  own,  especially  those  of  his  own  house — he  hath 
denied  the  faith,  and  is  worse  ihan  an  infidel."  This  rule,  both 
of  reason  and  religion,  will  apply  in  the  closest  manner,  to  the 
present  condition  of  the  Church  in  this  diocese,  and  to  the  pres- 
ent duty  ot  all  the  members  and  friends  of  our  communion,  and 
should  regulate  and  restrain,  the  indiscriminate  expenditure  of 
her  means,  for  purposes,  which  if  not  hostile,  are  certainly  un- 
profitable. 

If  1  could  paint  to  you,  as  vividly  as  I  have  witnessed,  and 
now  feel,  the  destitute  condition  of  our  brethren — men  agreeing 
in  faith,  doctrine  and  worship  with  ourselves,  and  the  general 
call  there  is,  "  come  over  and  help  us," — the  necessity  as  well 
as  propriety,  in  the  truest  religious  sense,  of  adopting  and  act- 
ing henceforth  upon  this  principle,  would  need  no  enforcement 
from  me.  Your  hearts  would  feel,  for  congregations  destitute 
of  ministers  and  ordinances  ;  Jacob's  feeble  hands  would  not  be 
lifted  up  in  vain  ;  the  Church  of  your  fathers,  and  of  your  affec- 
tions, would  no  longer  be  dry-nursed,  to  succour  her  opponents  ; 
but  all  would  be  united  for  one  object,  and  your  bounty  flow  in 
one  enriching  stream  of  nourishment,  growth  and  strength  to 
ourZion.  Oh  !  if  I  had  but  the  thousands,  which  have  hereto- 
fore been  drawn  away  from  her  exigencies,  how^  easily  would 
all  our  wants  of  this  kind  be  supplied.  It  is  gone,  however,  and 
Tegret  will  not  bring  it  back.  But  if  it  shall  teach  us  to  adopt 
and  adhere  to  a  difterent  course  for  the  time  to  come,  it  will  so 
far  be  a  gain,  and  there  is  yet  enough  left  in  the  piety,  and  af- 
fection and  affluence  of  the  Episcopal  body  in  this  diocese,  to 
meet  all  our  reasonable  demands.  All  that  is  required,  is  to 
act  upon  principle,  by  system. 

Much  will  be  said  against  this  my  advice  to  you,  my  breth- 
ren ;  and  I  doubt  not  it  will  be  called  illiberal,  uncharitable, 
perhaps  unchristian.  But  by  whom  will  such  truly  unchristian 
terms  be  applied  to  it  By  those  only,  whose  interest  it  is 
that  you  should  not  discriminate.  By  those,  who  act  themselves 
as  a  body,  and  rigidly  too,  upon  this  very  principle — who  have 
drawn  largely  on  the  easiness,  or  indifference  of  your  liberality  ; 
but  have  never  returned  a  cent  for  the  dollar,  to  our  want^. 


24 


ami  never  will ;  or  by  those  who  cloak  real  disregard  to  all  re^ 
iigion,  under  the  motley  mask  of  eq^ial  regard  for  all  deno- 
minations. Regard  them  not,  therefore,  my  brethren;  but 
strong  in  the  soundness  of  the  principle,  and  the  obligation  of 
the  duty,  as  christians  and  Churchmen,  reserve  what  you  have 
to  spare  in  t  je  service  of  religion,  for  the  wants  of  your  own 
communion.  That  certainly  has  the  first  and  highest  claim 
upon  your  ability,  upon  your  bounty  ;  a  claim  which  no  sophis- 
try can  invalidate — which  no  mistaken  views  of  liberality  and 
charity  towards  the  opinions  or  the  practices  of  others,  should 
either  weaken  or  defeat. 

According,  then,  as  the  distinctive  character  of  the  Church,  i& 
understood  in  its  principles,  applied  in  the  use,  and  regarded 
in  the  hearts  of  its  members,  will  it  be  cherished  and  flourish. 
According  as  the  walk  and  conversation  in  the  world,  of  those 
who  call  themselves  Episcopalians,  shall  be  as  becometh  the 
gospel  of  Christ,  will  its  high,  because  heaven-descended  claims, 
be  owned,  acknowledged  and  acted  upon,  in  the  regeneration 
of  a  fallen  world  ;  and  according  as  we  shew,  that  it  is  all  this 
in  our  estimation,  my  clerical  and  lay  brethren — by  the  zeal  and 
earnestness  with  which  we  unite  and  persevere  in  the  work  wc 
have  in  hand,  "will  Jacob  arise" — "Will  a  little  one  become  a 
thousand,  and  a  small  one,  a  strong  nation." 

To  this  work  you  have  called  me  ;  to  this  work  the  Lord 
through  you  iiath  devoted  me  ;  and  to  your  service,  such  as  I 
am,  I  give  myself  without  reserve.  Accept,  then,  the  first  fruits 
of  the  deep  concern  I  feel  for  your  advancement ;  of  the  obser- 
vatioii  and  experience  I  have  had  opportunity  for,  and  of  that 
sacred  regard  for  your  present  and  eternal  welfare,  which  oc- 
cupies my  thoughts,  my  prayers,  my  labours.  And  may  He 
that  holdeth  the  seven  stars  in  his  right  hand  ;  who  walketh  in 
the  midst  of  the  seven  golden  candlesticks,  be  with  us  in  all  our 
undertakings,  to  bless  and  prosper  us  in  building  up  the  old 
waste  places  ;  in  raising  up  the  foundations  of  many  genera- 
tions ;  that  we  m*ay  indeed  be  called  the  repairer  of  the  breach, 
the  restorer  of  paths  to  dwell  in, 

Now  unto  Him,  &;c. 


